Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums

Hit this:
http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/26/cavalier-love-gone-too-far/

Wow, right? That's a stupid decision in every sense of the word. He has passion for his car - that's fine! I have a passion for my car, too. Would I tattoo my particular car on my forearm? Uh...
I just don't understand young people. I'm only 24, but I feel like I should know more about AARP when I see these high school kids in their J-bodies. I just don't understand it! WHY? The first car I had was a Fox Cougar, and that's because I wanted the car; not because it was given to me. I developed a passion long before I owned a car. This is how I know it's possible to be different from the beginning.
I would love to walk up to a Cavalier/Sunfire enthusiast and say, "Dude.  You're taking a common econobox, installing taillights and a body kit, and fitting in with the rest of the people your age. Do something unique; think for yourself."
I would never say that, of course. I'll wait for it to fizzle out.

I think this is a good example of how we differ from the other enthusiasts. For example, the Mustang guys can be ostracized from our group because they tend to do the same things - clear corners, Cobra R wheels, etc.
The sport compact guys differ in many ways, but I won't get into that. I think everybody here has a decent bead on the automotive aftermarket world.

So... here we are. How do you feel about the Fox Thunderbird/Cougar?

To be honest, I've never been as proud as I am now to be a part of this group. I'm on my fourth Cougar (third Fox) since 1998, and it continues to grow. I'm always thinking of new things to do with the car.
Just a few weeks ago I pulled up to the front glass windows at the local Auto Zone (I'm sure everybody here does it) and went inside. As I was floating around the gauge section, I overheard one of the employees say, "Look at that old Cougar. You don't see those too often. He's got an old turbo hood on it, too."
I was swelling with pride, but I played it cool. I think I said something like, "Yeah, it's not bad. It's a factory turbo-4 5-speed car, too."
Maybe I didn't play it cool...
In any event, the parking lot was full of FWD compact cars with Euro-style taillights. I swear to God, more than 50% of the cars in the parking lot fit that description.
This is exactly why I created this thread. Are we that unique? I mean, I see Fox Mustangs around here, but most are V6 cars with aftermarket  tacked onto them; as if the owner received a $50 Auto Zone gift card for Christmas and blew the whole thing in the Import aisle. It's astonishing how people customize their cars these days. It's all in poor taste if you ask me. Chrome tint, chrome wheel covers, any aftermarket taillights, clear corners, most ground effects, spoilers, decals, painted dash panels, projector headlights, etc. It's all over-cooked and spreading like a rash.

I see a LOT of this stuff over on the MN12 message forums, which has pushed me to the stage of avoidance. I actually avoid associating myself with some of those guys! I've seen some very tasteless things done to the MN12 Thunderbird/Cougar. There are guys who will blow $80 on a pair of clear corners to match up with their yellowed stock headlights. Congratulations - you just made your car look 100% worse. I always think of the mentality behind it, too. "Look, guys! I finally got a set of clear corners! I'll be turning some heads now!"
Perhaps I'm narrow-minded because of my age, but I just can't get over it. It seems as if 80% of the "custom" cars in my city are cookie-cutter FWD econoboxes. 19% are jacked-up redneck trucks. The 1% is my two Cougars (yeah, the city is that small).
I can't explain the pride and individuality my '86 XR-7 gives me. There hasn't been one second where I wasn't proud to drive that car. It's literally one-of-a-kind in my area.
I love spooling up the turbo and shifting next to Mustangs and DSMs. The look on their face says, "Dude... they put turbos in those things?"
I'm not saying the '86 is a fast car, but it's rare and it's all mine. That means a lot to me.

Chime in here, folks. Am I too narrow-minded? I need some outside opinions. How do you feel about our cars, and how do you feel about the other cars?

im going that route but im getting the mustang horse with the red white and blue stripe on my chest. and eventually the running horse across my shoulder. im a mustang nut, plain and simple.

Well, it's on his body, not mine. Thats all that matter to me

There is something to be said about not seeing yourself coming down the road.  Personally, I've always had a preference for what the other guy wasn't driving, and the cars I did purchase were because I wanted them.  True, some of them found me, but I bought them because I wanted them.  Take the 3 cars I have now.  In 1980, I bought the '69 Firebird because 1. Everyone had either a Camaro or a Mustang, & 2.  It hauled ass and was different.  I bought my 280ZX to get into autocross on the cheap.It's the only one at the track.  Like your '86 Cougar, it turns heads, 'cause no one sees them anymore.  And man, do I feel great driving around town, getting thumbs up from the guys & gals in the 350Z's and spanking a few Miatas and the occasional Porshe at the track.  Now the T-Bird, well I've known this car all it's life since my grandparents bought it.  I am very proud and honored to have it.  It may look like an old guy's car with its whitewall tires, but it is in great shape for a 24 year old car and it does not look like every other Pimp my ride" _________ (fill in the blank - Neon, Honda, Sentra, Cavalier, etc.)  When I get done with it, my T-Bird it may still look like an old guy's car, but it won't take much to wake up that sleep 302 under the hood.

I agree with you.  There isn't much left to be done to many mainstream cars anymore.  Do you know how many black GTs with tinted windows and luvers I've seen in town?

People who put the body kits on cars and think it shaves of time in the quarter mile make me smile.  Heck, try to explain to a kid with an erector set on his Honda that it doesn't help much unless he is speeding on the highway.

I don't want much from by car in looks.  As long as the body looks good (which I need to get on), I'm fine.  I've had people call it names from a grandpa car to a boat.  All I have to do is take them for a spin, and now they want one of their own.  Others say not to put more money in it than it's worth, but by who's standards?  I have a $1800 dent in the side of the car.  Am I going to bail?  No way!  All I need is a new door, hammers, and a bunch of bondo and I'll give it a shot.  The car is mine, and I'm too stubborn to give it up.

I'm not putting down other cars.  If you like it, then go with it, but just remeber what I say to people who ask me about buying and building Mustangs: "Don't expect to be the first with a new idea." I like the Fox Bird because it is overlooked, but I do want to get a Mustang someday.  Heck, wouldn't mind screwing around with a Chevy (flog me later).

I guess what I'm getting at is if you like something, go for it, but in this case, I think the guy can be legally considered incompetant.:D

My friend refers to those cars as being "all Wal-Marted up"

I just call it "riced" or "Uncle Bens"

my all time fav is "is that a swarm of bees?" stupid ridiculous exhausts
and i know mustangs are around, but miens a 66 how many 351w powered 66's do you see? its gonna turn heads for sure, especially with the cutouts its getting, o baby its gonna be LOUD, any one wanna race new england drag strip in a few years, ill hand ya ass to u :flip:

I am building my cougar for just that reason, cuzz there aren't many here. I do want a mustang but the first gen.

I also like my ranger, it is like all the rest but it is still different, It is boxy and just looks good.

Back in 1987 after I got my first car ('84 V6) I was really upset. Here was this beautiful car and I couldn't find a ed thing for it, save for headlight covers, the front end bra, and a ground effects kit. At the same time, there were a lot more items available for other cars. That angered me severely, because my car was a hell of a lot more deserving of aftermarket parts than 95% of the boxes that were available in the late 1980's. I think the disappointment with the JC Whitney and Sears and JC Penney catalogs was what shaped me. They told me that, indeed, I would be on my own if I wanted something unique for my car. Yeah, I bought the bra, the headlight covers, the ground effects. And I liked them. But for many years I felt nothing but resentment.

And now I look back, and thank God that there was nothing else available for my car. Because then it would have been tacky. I would not have known, more than likely, where to stop because I was young and couldn't see too far into the future.

That's the problem with most customized cars.

Just because some company makes a custom part for your car doesn't mean you have to put it on your car.

But people still do. I think some just get obsessed with customization. I'm all for making your car unique, don't get me wrong. It's just that somewhere along the line, these clowns lose sight of tastefulness. And when they do it becomes painfully obvious to everyone else. Which makes for entertaining conversation, of course.

It's not just limited to the young, though...I've seen older guys junk up cars too. You know what I'm talking about. The ones with enough pinstriping for half a dozen cars on their single ride. The ones who install fender flares--bought or custom made--on a car that never had them from the factory. When they start using words like "all the gingerbread", "cream puff", and my personal favorite, "fancy", to describe their car...then you know how mentally unstable they really are. The sad part is that they think it's cool, nobody else does, and when they die, what USED to be a perfectly good car will end up getting parted or junked because ain't nobody else gonna love that foo' again.

But you know...that's what makes America what it is. It takes all kinds. Right or wrong, tasteful or tacky. You just gotta shake your head and laugh sometimes.

there might not have been anything then eric but man i love your car its so different, can  uve got such a nice car, and xr7cat, i love my first gen mustang, man when i turn that key, and the 351 rumbles to life theres no feeling like it, not to mention roasting the tires through first and second. I love it to death, and plan on taking to the grave with me, it may just be another mustang, but its MINE and no one else can have it!!, nvm drive it.

Seriously though, even though I don't like all that stuff, I need to catch myself because we in the fox Cougar community are often subjects of the same type of criticism.  I think we got some of it on UTube the other year with the Cat Jam videos and I hear it occasionally at work.  I like a lot of different cars out there (with the Cougar at #1) and can look past my Cougar world to appreciate other cars.  I find it odd though how some self-acclaimed "car people" have or like only one type of car and talk trash about anything that isn't the same as what they have.  If it isn't a Mustang, then it's junk, or if it isn't a Corvette, Camaro, or Z then it's junk.  These aren't car people, they are Mustang people or (place car model here)_________ people.  (Zach, this is not directed at you, your thread just brought these thoughts to mind.)



I also agree that these cats aren't as common or frequently sighted as other types of cars.  Hell, I have seen less than 10 83-88 XR-7s on the road in the past five years.  However, I would like these cars no matter how common, how rare, popular, unpopular, or whatever logo is on the sill plate.  The unpopularity is an added bonus.
The Turbo Coupes however, get a much warmer welcome and have a greater following.  Look at how many 87 TCs were at Carlisle vs how many 83-88 Cougars.  I often think those cars validate the Cougar.  If it wasn't for the TC, the Cougar would be completely ostracized.

"Past, present, and future"
 
i keep wondering where things will go. how long the whole "fake hot-rod" scene will last, and what the next big thing will be...
 
better call up Hollywood and tell em to make a movie about us! THEN all the posers will suddenly see the light! :birdsmily: :cougarsmily:

That tatoo is funny. Why do people do stupid sh't like that. A guy I know that has a Trailblazer SS and before that had a Silverado SS, has a big baby blue and white tatoo on the back of his calf. It reads "SS", soo stupid. Just because in the past year and a half he's had two SS trucks he's Mr. SS. He is 25 years old and has never owned many Chevrolets. Before these trucks he was always all about Toyota, had several of them. Toyota's and Firebirds, 1970's p.o.s. Firebirds. But now that he owe's the bank twice what his Corvette/mini van is worth, it's a good enough reason to put this on the back of his leg. Idiot.

by comparrison to what eric said,, i also remember that frustration as well and my first car was an 84v6 burgandy coug.

I remember waiting for years to even see the full length window vent visor available.

I fully agree, Zach. I loved the T-Birds and Cougars ever since I drove the '84 I had considered buying but couldn't afford way back in 1992. I am not a Ford guy by any stretch of the imagination - I've owned Volvos, Jeeps, Dodges, Chevys, Hyundais, Nissans, Toyotas, a Saturn and even a Daewoo. I have never liked any of 'em as much as the BirdCats.

Back when I had my first one, that ol' base '85 V6 shiznitbox, I loved the hell out of it. I had big plans in my mind, none of which ever included making the car look stupid. Unfortunately my dreams vastly exceeded available funds, and the condition of the car mandated getting rid of it. I ended up installing chrome Cragar rims and a stereo, the car remained stock otherwise. Had  known then that it was an extremely rare colour combo (light sage green with grey interior) I'd have kept it. In fact, I've had big plans for every T-Bird and Cougar I'd ever owned. I had even thought up a wagonized '85 with removable roof (you've all seen the drawings, it was a stupid idea, but still, one day...). I had never had the means, place, or funds to do anything to any of 'em. Until now.

Now I have a garage, the tools, and even a little bit of money to spend on the car, and yet I cannot bring myself to molest the body. I'd always wanted ground effects, but now that I could get them if I wanted, I don't want to. Ricers ruined them for me. When I see late 80's four door Camrys sporting 18" wheels and body kits it just makes me more determined to keep my car stock appearing, and believe me, the body of my car will remain stock appearing. I say "appearing" because I'm putting a TC clip on it as my current project. It will look stock, but like a TC instead of the 5.0 car it is. No 5-lug and Cobra R's for me - I will be installing stock, restored TC rims. No rear spoiler. No cowl hood.

I just like the looks of the stock 1987/88 TC so much that I feel it can't be improved upon. About the only exterior modifications to this car will be the LED tail lights, and probably LED front lights as well. Other than that, it'll be all Ford body parts. I want it to look like an 80's T-Bird, dammit.

Of course, saving the body has another benefit: It frees up money to be spent on performance. The suspension transformation is complete in the front and is only awaiting the installation of the rest of the front body parts so I can begin the rear. Next year the engine/drivetrain will get some attention. I had hoped to do that this coming year, but renovating the house is putting things behind schedule. That doesn't matter, because the car isn't going anywhere. I've let four other Foxes fade away, that won't happen with this one.

Another reason I'm not in a hurry to do the engine: I've fallen off the fence with my 351 vs 5.0 debate again. I had thought I'd decided on the 351, but once again have swung the other way. I've lately been thinking about trading the 351 and C6 for a T-5 and swap parts. A modded 5.0, a T-5 and the 3.45 TC rear end would make this car way more fun than a 351 alone ever would. If I did the 351 swap I'd have to stick with the automatic until I could afford a manual tranny that could handle the torque. The fact that I'd been leaning toward a carb setup on the 351 has turned me off the engine as well. I've got a perfectly good, 65k mile 5.0 in the car now that would love some attention. It is already ahead of the 351 in several departments: the 351 has 300k miles and would require a ground-up rebuild, the 302 is already in the car, and I could replace the heads and induction on the 302 for what rebuilding the 351's bottom end alone would cost. The 302 is also lighter, of course.

All that being said, I'd still never tattoo the emblem on my body...

From somebody like me who decided to put the 87 up for the future and went for an econobox cougar, Its the fact that the body kits lights ect. are cheap and something that can be done on most minimum wage jobs. People care more about appearance than what the car can do now. Its fashion over functionality and most with the econoboxes fall victim to the Ricer mentality. I actually miss driving my fox when i go to start her up every Friday i just sit in the drivers seat and its the little things that count like how comfortable the seat is in the 87 as compared to the 99. Yes i am looking into some Xenon's for the 99 and some replacement front fenders considering when i bought it the front fenders were dinged and the drivers side smashed in (This really pissed me off). I digress the replacement fenders that i will purchase sooner or later will be a set of Z3 fenders because i like how they look, but i will NEVER put a kit on it. Infact i was considering putting an OEM spoiler on it but i don't see many 99's running around without that wing and personally i think it looks better with out that wing now that i think about it.

NEVER tatoo's for Me, any words, any names, The things changes, Me too...

In My teen I was a BIG fan of snowmobiles,if I was tattoed with that I'll regret today, same for 20's with My Mercury cyclone, and 30's another thing, Today I'm a BIG fan of tbirds, and in future I don't know, for that, I print My own T-Shirts, I never regret it...

I'm not a wall with a graffiti's.

That's all,

Regards,

Dom.

Wow, at first when i initially replied i did not click the link, that is one , uh retarded caviler owner. Yeah if he wants a tat of his car cool, just don't put it on your forearm.

This is great. I didn't expect this much of a response.
After reading the other posts, I guess I've boiled it down to one main idea:
As automotive aftermarket trends emerge, the majority of our kind tend to jump on the bandwagon (bandCivic?) and take those trends to the limit. It must be about fitting into an exclusive group of car people... which loses its exclusivity as soon as the 100th person puts an APC decal on their car. Follow the leader, right?
So I'm entering my 9th year of being a Fox body fanatic and my interest has never waned. Ever since I started doing it, I've never noticed anybody else doing it. In fact, it was usually the trashy rednecks who bought Thunderbirds and beat the hell out of them. I've watched other trends rise at an alarming pace, hold steady for a year or two, then fizzle out. Large aluminum wings are the perfect example. I haven't seen one in weeks, but I used to see them on a daily basis about two years ago. However, I often see the plastic plugs people have in their decklids where the wing was once mounted. Hilarious. :D
The main point is this: Our cars tend to stand above the consistent flow of aftermarket lunacy. We use creative and innovative solutions to make our cars unique, yet tasteful. I'm loving every minute of it, too. Don't take it for granted, though! The junkyards will soon be purged of our cars forever, so do everything while you can. Stay as ambitious as possible, because this particular point in time of the Fox community has an expiration date. Enjoy it.

When everyone is driving the same cars, they want to try and find someway to "stand out".  Unfortunately, the cheapo mods are about all most of the owners have the money or the skills (and even that is questionable) to do.  I can't believe the amount of garbage that is available...and even more I can't believe how many people actually waste the money on them.  You find the occasional gem amidst all the .  Something that, while "mainstream" someone has taken the time to build "right" and not just throw whatever aftermarket  they could at it.

We stand out and are different due to the fact of what we choose to drive.  The added bonus is that these cars are not well covered by the aftermarket, and thus we each have to find our own route to do what we want.  Not everything can be bought "off the shelf" and thus it requires us to modify and create.

The most common remark I get about the car is "You don't see those any more.  Especially in nice shape".  Folks almost fall over when they hear it's an '83.  I love that.
I'm going to enjoy driving the '80 XR-7 when it's roadworthy, just because it will be different.

I periodically get the "wow aint seen one of them in years, ayup". 

But the best was the owner of a newer Nissan Maxima that was all shiny with leather and the works for a luxury car.  He asked me what I drove while I was changing the battery in his car (autozone days), when I pointed to my 88 cougar sitting about 10 parking spaces away he was giddy.  He told me about his 88 Thunderbird and how much he missed it, he asked me if he could go and look at my car.  I was glowing.

Honestly I think we are a select few, double takes and stares from across the parking lot confirm this every time I go for a drive.  The only people that promote any grief are mustang guys to whom I point out that I could use there car for parts. :D

I seem to get a few more people asking about my 83 than my 88.

Yeah, I hate the current trend of people throwing a ler & altezzas on some econobox and thinking it's real hot shiznit. But I guess it's no better than the air shocks and glasspacks of a few years ago.

And yes, I agree with Chuck- I too can't believe some of the  that they have out on the market right now. Lighted exhaust tips, LED windshield washer sprayers, Tireflys, fake stick-on hood scoops (which I hate with a passion), spinner hubcaps, etc...:toilet:

I think that's the problem with automotive trends...the majority of people out there don't have the skills to do most of the "cool stuff" they see, so they're limited to what they CAN do (or can afford) which isn't much. So they think that if they put a ler, altezzas, and spinner hubcaps on their Neon, they're pretty cool...meanwhile the real car guys are pointing and laughing.

Anyway...my car gets a few comments here and there, though not really that many. I'll get a guy at the parts store here and there that likes it, or somebody at a gas station, but more or less it seems to go mostly unnoticed (course, it isn't looking its best these days...needs paint somethin' fierce)

Last spring when I go out of My basp00get garage for the first time, paint faded a lot, buffed witout a real good results,ect, but clean, at 15h30 My car was front of My home and the kids pass over the car, and one of these kids said "I like this car, It's beautyful", that's was made My summer...

Cauz when I was a kid like this, I liked some faded cars, but a beautyful models, at this time it was a Charger's, GTX, Camaro's, and stangs...

Same for the people maybe, the interior is better than the exterior!!!...

Okay Mr poet, or whatever, shut Your mouth, and go to read, heheheheh!:hick:

Best regards,

Dom.

if you dont mind me askin what the F)@#$ are Tireflys.

Oh ok did a google search.

I relize i sounded narrow minded before, im a ford guy, but have a special spot in my heart for the mustang i own. Theres sentimental value behind the car, which is what compels me towards the tat (which i might not end up doing), but don't get me wrong, i woudln't mind owning a 70 454 ss chevelle, or 66 gto. Its to each his own. But what ever i get, its has got to be black, fast, and unexpected. I love sleepers.